Abercrombie & Kent
OFFER ID 1550369
Italian Treasures: Rome, Florence & Venice
On this quintessential journey to Italy’s most soughtafter destinations, view legendary masterpieces firsthand, experience unrivaled insider access to historic sites, savor amazing food and wine, and meet with artisans devoted to timeless romantic traditions.
7 nights | Call for pricing
Abercrombie & Kent: Italian Treasures: Rome, Florence & Venice
DAY 1 Rome, Italy
Arrive in Rome, where you are met and transferred to yourhotel. Tonight, join your Resident Tour Director for dinner.
This morning, begin with early access to the Vatican Museums,before visiting St. Peter’s Basilica. After lunch, discoverthe Eternal City, starting at the Palatine Hill, where yourlocal guide brings to life the city’s origin. Pass the Arch ofConstantine to visit the mighty Colosseum, opened in AD 80.
Today, explore the Montemartini Museum, set in a buildingthat once housed Rome’s first electric power station, to viewa grand collection of classical statues depicting early Romanlife, all displayed in thought-provoking juxtaposition withthe extraordinary industrial architecture surrounding them.Pause in Rome’s Eataly emporium to taste local specialties.This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure. Later, get a hands-onfeel for an Italian culinary tradition, when you take part in apizza-making class in a top Roman neighborhood pizzeria.
Drive to Florence, roaming through the sun-splashed Tuscancountryside. Along the way, stop at a distinctive winery for aguided tasting of Brunello di Montalcino and a light lunch.Continue to Florence and check in to your historic hotel inthe city center.
Walk the lively streets of Florence with your local guide,an art specialist, who accompanies you to fascinatingsites, including the Accademia, where you behold strikingmasterworks such as Michelangelo’s incomparable David.Next, visit the Cappella di San Luca of the Basilica dellaSantissima Annunziata to meet with a restorer working onthe precious Renaissance art housed within. Then, indulgein a delectable, hands-on Tuscan cooking experience atthe Florence University of the Arts. Start with a lecture onTuscan culinary masterpieces followed by a cooking class onfavorite Tuscan dishes that completes this mouthwateringChef’s Table moment.
Today, cross the Apennines by express train to the valley ofthe Po and onward to Venice. Upon arrival, cruise in a watertaxi along the Grand Canal, and then board a gondola for aquintessential Venetian experience. Break for lunch beforevisiting St. Mark’s Square; St. Mark’s Basilica, beholding itsmosaics; and the Doge’s Palace. Later, check in to your hotel.
Today, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
Visit One of the City’s Last Gondola Workshops to learnabout this time-honored boat-building craft.
Marvel at the Textile Weavers of Tessitura Bevilacqua and take a walking tour of Venice’s historic Jewish ghetto.
Explore Sites Featured in Famous Films, visiting theshooting locations of scenes from Indiana Jones and theLast Crusade, The Italian Job and others.
Follow up your exciting experience with an afternoon atleisure, free to relax or further explore the city. Tonight,savor a Scenic Sundowner overlooking the VenetianLagoon, setting the mood for your farewell dinner.
Transfer by boat to the airport and depart.
Venice: Splendours of Venice Walking Tour - 4 hours
Venice: Venice for Art Lovers Walking Tour - 4 hours
Venice: The Roman City of Verona - 7 hours
Venice: Lagoon Islands - 7 hours
Today you will be met by your local English-speaking guide for a full day excursion by private motor-boat to explore the Lagoon Islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Venice lies in the centre of a vast lagoon that stretches for about 30 miles from north to south, studded by numerous small islands, mostly deserted. This amazing environment is what drove the Venetians to establish their city here, a perfectly secure and inaccessible little world. Enjoy the beauty of a ride across the waters of the lagoon; visit the island of Murano, where glass has been made for over 700 years and where you can see the age-old techniques of glass blowing still in use today.
Continue to Torcello, to see the breathtaking mosaics in the Basilica di Santa Maria dell’Assunta, the oldest building on the lagoon. After a leisurely lunch (payable locally) you reach the island of Burano, a quaint and colourful fisherman island famous for its lace and charming architecture.
Highlights:
Sprawled across seven legendary hills, romantic and beautiful Rome was one
of the great centers of the ancient world. Although its beginning is shrouded
in legend and its development is full of intrigue and struggle, Rome has always
been and remains the Eternal City.
Rome enjoyed its greatest splendor during the 1st and 2nd centuries when art
flourished, monumental works of architecture were erected, and the mighty Roman
legions swept outward, conquering all of Italy. These victorious armies then
swept across the Mediterranean and beyond to conquer most of the known world.
With Rome's establishment as capital of the western world, a new ascent to glory
began.
Today's Rome, with its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious
parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafes and elegant shops, is
one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities. Among the most famous
monuments is the Colosseum. As you walk its cool, dark passageways, imagine
the voices that once filled the arena as 50,000 spectators watched combats between
muscled gladiators and ferocious animals.
Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once the city's political and commercial
center. In later times, Rome's squares were enhanced with such imposing structures
as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di
Trevi. Join the millions who stand in awe of Christendom’s most magnificent
church and admire the timeless masterpieces of Michelangelo's frescoes in the
Sistine Chapel.
Rome jars the senses and captures the soul. Grasp all you can during the short,
precious time you have available in the Eternal City. With so much to see and
do, a day or two will only allow you a sampling of the city's marvelous treasures.
Caution: As in many big cities and tourist destinations purse snatching
and pickpocketing is common. Valuable jewelry and excess cash are best left
in a safety deposit box in your hotel.
Shopping For most visitors shopping for beautiful Italian leather articles,
designer shoes, fashions for men and women, linens, knitwear, silk scarves and
ties is a favorite pastime. Except for tourist-oriented shops, the majority
of stores are closed on Sundays. Some of the department stores, such as Rinascente,
open in the late afternoon on Sundays.
Cuisine Rome's choice of restaurants is mindboggling as is the variety
of cuisine. Whether your meal is at a top-rated restaurant or a rustic trattoria,
you can be sure that you will enjoy your food, especially when accompanied by
wines from the hill towns surrounding Rome.
Other Sights Rome's attractions are endless, and depending on how much
time you have at your disposal a careful selection has to be made about what
to see. Be aware of horrendous traffic conditions and major construction work
all around the city in preparation of Jubilee 2000, the Holy Year. Some of the
sights not to be missed:
Piazza Venezia - This busy square is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio
Emanuele II Monument. The white marble structure was inaugurated in 1911 as
a symbol of Italy’s unification.
The Forum - Once the civic heart of ancient Rome, today the remains include
a series of ruins, marble fragments, isolated columns and some worn arches.
Colosseum - No visit to Rome is complete without a stop at this awe-inspiring
theater, which is among the world’s most celebrated buildings. Here ancient
Rome flocked to see gladiatorial contests and numerous other spectacles.
Trevi Fountain - Take a stroll to Rome's famous fountain. A spectacular fantasy
of mythical sea creatures and cascades of splashing water, the fountain is one
of the city's foremost attractions. Legend has it that visitors must toss a
coin into the fountain to ensure their return to Rome.
St. Peter's Square - Part of Vatican City, this square created by Bernini
is considered one of the loveliest squares in the world. Twin Doric colonnades
topped with statues of various saints and martyrs flank either side of the square.
In the center stands an 84-foot obelisk, brought from Egypt in 37 A.D.
St. Peter's Basilica - At the head of the square stands Christendom's most
magnificent church, which was begun in 1452 on the site where St. Peter was
buried. Throughout the following 200 years, such Renaissance masters as Bramante,
Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini worked on its design and created an unparalleled
masterpiece. Of special note are Michelangelo's Pieta and the bronze canopy
over the high altar by Bernini. The immense dome was designed by Michelangelo.
Vatican Museum - To see this museum's immense collection would take days.
As you enter, there are special posters that plot a choice of four color-coded
itineraries. They are repeated throughout the museum and are easy to follow.
It is a good idea to pickup a leaflet at the main entrance and concentrate on
exhibits of major interest. Of course, the Sistine Chapel is a must. Most likely
you may have to wait in line to enter.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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